Chelsea supporters are beginning to question Estêvão Willian’s role under head coach Xabi Alonso after the Brazilian youngster was once again introduced only in the closing stages of a Premier League match.
The 19-year-old came on in the 87th minute during Chelsea’s 3–0 defeat away to Brentford on Friday, giving him very little time to influence a game that had already slipped away from the Blues.
The late appearance continued a pattern that has emerged during the opening weeks of Alonso’s reign. Estêvão has struggled to establish himself as a regular starter in the Premier League, despite showing glimpses of his attacking quality when given opportunities.
Against Arsenal earlier this month, for example, Estêvão came off the bench and nearly rescued a point for Chelsea, forcing David Raya into an excellent late save. Chelsea's official website also highlighted his impact during that appearance.
His limited involvement has inevitably led to questions among supporters about how the teenager fits into Alonso’s tactical plans. The competition for attacking positions is intense, with Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers, Pedro Neto and João Pedro all competing for important roles.
There is also a tactical question surrounding Estêvão. Reports have suggested that Alonso is considering different positions and responsibilities for the youngster, including roles that would require greater defensive contribution.
However, Alonso has repeatedly insisted that Estêvão remains an important part of his plans. Before Chelsea's Carabao Cup meeting with Leeds, the manager praised the Brazilian's attitude and said he was ready to take on a bigger role as the season progresses.
For now, though, the numbers remain striking. After five Premier League matches, Estêvão had accumulated only 46 minutes in the competition, according to reports following the Brentford defeat.
With Chelsea struggling for consistency and goals at crucial moments, supporters will be watching closely to see whether Alonso gives the highly-rated Brazilian a longer run of minutes in the coming fixtures.
Estêvão has already shown that he can create danger when given the opportunity. The question now is whether Alonso believes the youngster is ready for a significantly bigger role in his Chelsea project.